Hunting Harley's. 1978 FXE FLH'd California Custom

Start starts and rides this awesome machine. It is for sale. [e-mail] The Vimeo version of this video is here vimeo.com/1920...

[@ws678ta]

I rode my 1st Harley, a brand new 1979 FXE to Sturgis. We then counted the days left until the next Sturgis run in 1980. Willie G. Davidson visited our camp @ Sturgis City Park and told us of the new model coming out....which was " The Lowrider". The trip was unforgettable!

[@belingonza318]

Every time I see these older bikes I feel like getting back into it. I had Panheads and shovels. No they weren't perfect but I loved them ( I'm 70 ) getting up in age but still have my memories .

[@HuntingHarleys]

Join the AMCA, get yourself an antique and go on club rides. You will have FUN!!

[@lots3799]

Love shovels! Had 14 of them since 73. Currently have a stock sparkling blue , 72 FLH rat dresser ,had it for 16 years. I'm 65. Its my last bike. I love her. Rusty as hell, but runs like a Swiss watch. I wouldn't put ape hangers on my bike if you held me at gun point. You hit a pothole you didn't see ,and especially if you only have one hand on the handlebars ,you screwed. They were popular in the 50s ,and 60s let sleeping dogs lie.

[@mraycgz]

California customs are still sone of my favorite bikes. I’ve got a twin cam road king that I’ve set up Vicla style.

[@davidchereneimmel8820]

I personally think the Shovel is the best sounding of Harley Engines, possibly because I grew up with them. they just always sound so "get out of my way or I'm gonna kick your ass"

[@HuntingHarleys]

Nothing like the sound

[@k_dawg7475]

I love that sound, thats my fav vid on this channel. I always keep coming back for this one ❤

[@alvidadost6955]

Watching your channel cures my bouts of depression. Thanks for the therapy, good sir.

[@TrevorCanToo]

Love these style shovels. They cook crazy with internal throttle and suicide clutch but stock looks cool too

[@HD-rf8ts]

Still a BADASS style till this day !!!

[@billystray7007]

Its held up in my eyes too

[@V8AmericanMuscleCar]

This will always be badass!

[@stevedingman3753]

Looks like one I built back in the day, I was a young kid then. Sure miss those days....

[@djosephp67]

Hey Todd thanks for taking the time & energy it takes to make these videos & especially for sharing your stories, experiences & the wealth of knowledge you've picked over your many years of being a loyal Harley Davidson owner.. I keep coming back to this Cali Custom video over & over.. Love it.. Cheers from Canada. Land of Free & Frozen.. Lol. Davey..

[@k.w.churchill4397]

I know how everyone likes to hear them idle way low, but its really hard on lower ends....You can get an pan to idle like a farm engine, but its hammering the lower end

[@arthurmchugh5184]

I HATE to hear them idle , and if there are no mufflers on that wreck I don't want to hear it run at all

[@arthurmchugh5184]

Chrome plated air compressors!! And I watch "jap" and wish I had cool old bikes to keep my 66 Yamaha company.

[@BlindTom61]

@@arthurmchugh5184 Jealous much Artie?

[@arthurmchugh5184]

@@BlindTom61 why would I be jealous of that pig iron boat anchor? My shirt says "the best thing in the Harley shop window is the reflection of my Ducati!

[@BlindTom61]

@@arthurmchugh5184 You are obviously new to the bike game. You like your POS bike that's fine. Go hang out with your pasta-can friends. I had a Ducati before you were born. They are and always have been unreliable, poorly engineered major POS. I had a Hayabusa as a side bike for those times I wanted to go fast. I'd never own another Italian bike for any reason.

[@billysqiur9887]

Turn that dial,Harley switch ,loving every minute of it,peace brothers😎

[@jamescalhoun342]

Nice old Shovelhead looks awesome no bags ape hangers the best

[@BustedKnuckles]

Just started a 78 project! Love the shovels!

[@kevinwilson1124]

Had the same bike. It was very reliable and easy to maintain. Put a Dyno electronic ignition on it, so i cheated a bit. Had the fairing, windscreen, bags, etc. People walked past the new ones to check out the old iron. I miss it.

[@danielstorm8931]

This guy is exactly right. I was riding in SoCal in the mid 80's and EVERYONE wanted their bike to look like this one. Nice example of when riding was open and free in SoCal. Nice!

[@RobertMoran-kd6zb]

Ever since I was a kid a wanted a motorcycle and I love the bike in this video and I wish I could find one here in Ocala Florida.

[@HuntingHarleys]

Gotta travel to find a Shovelhead anymore

[@RobertMoran-kd6zb]

Thank you and appreciate the advice. Much respect for you and what you do thank you .

[@1SaG]

The sound is absolutely amazing. Deep and rich, yet not obnoxiously loud. At least that's what it sounds like through the web, YT and my headphones... ;)

[@joracer1]

Why would you not turn the idle up, when the bike is cold, and not been run in a year, i think it hurts the engine.... not enough oil pressure at 300 rpm...

[@superturboawesome1]

I think these guys like rebuilding engines every 25,000 miles lol

[@mikeysmith3755]

pr

[@wildanh7806]

@@superturboawesome1 put an electronic oil pump

[@mraycgz]

Kenny H it’s not exactly hard to understand I don’t know how people just assume. You build great oil pressure off of the starter ALONE if you’re turning a bike over long enough. And if it’s barely turning guess what, it doesn’t need as much lubrication.

[@Jason32Bourne]

God damn this sounds beastly.

[@h.d.mech.mortenson2098]

I love seeing the bikes you have on here. I just got my first Harley, a Dyna Wide Glide and I love it. Thanks for the videos !

[@k.w.churchill4397]

Shovels forever.

[@toddwinchester4539]

Absolutely amazing bike!!

[@toddwinchester4539]

Awesome sound. Looks great!! I want one!

[@raybrensike42]

I remember seeing these in the Harley shop in the 70's. Every one of them had a clean pool of oil under them, except for the Sportsters. I bought a new XLCH. Good times.

[@johndoe-hv3qj]

Got an 87 Electra Glide tha still runs like it did in 87. Just took it on a 170 mile poker run. I live in Florida. It ran all the way like a champ.

[@lonesometinman3147]

Love shovelhead s and their sound but I've never had mine idle so low I was told over 30 years ago (and I believe it) the bottom takes a real beating

[@chopperchopster]

got my 71 from my uncle after THREE YEARS of bugging him. It had sat for about 6 years. cleaned carb. cleaned fas tank. replaced fuel lines. new battery. Fired right up puked oil [sumped] then the O ring between the inner and outer primary wasnt good puked more oil LOL. Runs like a raped ape now after I went through and did rocker box gaskets , primary gasket, electrical stuff. tires and tubes. Daily rider. Isnt fast but takes me where I need to go all over Phx. Even does OK in our ungodly summer heat. I walk right past my 09 Dyna every morning and kick that old shovel to life and go gitterdone . The shovel is my daily and the Dyna is my backup ride LOL . EFI Dyna has no soul doesnt even sound like a HD

[@michaelwills1027]

Fantastic. Harley Davidson brought out their own version of this, stripped back Electra with forwards only they didn't go as far as apes. FLHS was the prefix. Love your channel.

[@geten78]

Beautiful Harley. Born 78 so this bike is 40 years. Maby put those apes in my dyna wide glide.

[@alp3771]

Hell of a bike. Some real history right there.

[@knowbody9679]

That looks bad ass. I love that look. My 97 fatboy looks similar.

[@larriveeman86]

I dont miss the headaches from the old Harley bikes I had. I like my vintage Yamaha that keeps running with no problems.

[@2cool4u306]

Had one , different colour though. Wish i still had it ! 4 speed with 80 ci , engine and had lots of power too , now i only have twin cams and they just aren't as cool . Nice bike!

[@jamesdjesse]

what a great looking bike

[@-MrRichBiker1967]

That thing is sumping like mad.

[@johnderekmitchell1510]

That white '79 you had is still my favorite.

[@jonosaymynameheisenbergyou5588]

Beautiful ride beautiful beautiful ride beautiful

[@nostalgiacycle8202]

I run a long vent hose to a catch can. When my shovel sits a while, I run the vent hose to the oil tank before starting. Start the bike and run for 5 minutes emptying out the sumped oil. Then return the hose to the catch can.

[@docdrutschi687]

.Cool Guy Cool Bike ! greetings from Hamburg ( Germany ) !!

[@timojokela4554]

Very nice smooth sound.

[@SalvadorHernandez-sb6ys]

Gotta love them Shovels man!!

[@k_dawg7475]

Madly in love with this one and the way it's hammering 😍

[@k_dawg7475]

@Josgzfhua Island i agree with you hahahaah

[@LSD97123]

Got to love that sound! specially when idling low

[@lots3799]

Thats too low though. You'll foul out the plugs.

[@LSD97123]

@@lots3799 yeah. Bad oil flow to the head too

[@ryanwyrick8368]

Nice bike man and the ape hangers rock.

[@emeraldviking3637]

Sounds awesome

[@skgate]

this is what i got.. a FXE that was FLH’d.. thought i was buying an FLH

[@jonosaymynameheisenbergyou5588]

👍👍 A beautiful sound beautiful sound 👍👍

[@gruntspy44]

Dude thanks for these videos. Im learning alot

[@rs-xr3ty]

Sounds so lovely

[@mikeoneill4926]

It's AMF JUNK

[@HuntingHarleys]

AMF suffered from a lot of in house sabotage. The machines themselves when properly built were very reliable. Don't forget, they were buillt for a US national speed limit of 55 MPH , so don't compare them to today's 80MPH cruiser's.

[@silverwiskers7371]

For myself I think the spotlights is what makes the front end rock, crash bars makes the forward controls more comfortable with the highway pegs also, just my opinion tho, nevertheless that's a very bad ass hog and any Harleyman has a ass load of respect fine ass bike like that...

[@bfwinkler]

Idle it up!!!!

[@arthurfreeman]

Nice bike, nice style, nice life, congrats Mr

[@JTJ85]

That thing sounds awesome

[@silverwiskers7371]

Nice, a man's best friend

[@michael7324]

Thats a sweet ass bike man.

[@choppadee113]

Nice scooter !!! (And no dog this time.) - Sounds good man !!! Idle is a little low though. Beautiful bike.

[@edwardeverson7039]

Love my 75 dont look my way !

[@CharlesWillisBonsai]

Damn. That is idling really low.

[@johnbennett3714]

Idle way too low for a shovel. I know it sounds cool but you want oil in your engine right? Great bike.

[@lots3799]

Plus you'll foul out the plugs....

[@abbasabdulwahab3485]

Interesting. So how low is OK secondly will low idling really matter when the bike is stationary?

[@martincass1910]

Shovels for ever

[@Me-pt2hx]

Love this machine

[@joeysixtysix]

Great video and a very cool bike.

[@randyhutchinson9910]

because of you, I'm buying old motorcycles

[@randyhutchinson9910]

each one of em tells a story

[@garthcombrinck7906]

I love your channel from south Africa

[@garythorsell5061]

A Harley master

[@jrprieto1]

That's a really nice bike right there sir...

[@petep01]

I could watch your videos almost all day. The video is so sharp and the sound is awesome. Gotta ask what brand/model camera you used? Thanks!!!

[@Alexgomez411]

she sounds awesome

[@scottortiz8274]

Beautiful bike bro, that's always been my idea of a perfect Americana 🛷...

[@scottjackson2843]

badass.

[@garythorsell5061]

Great vedio

[@davidfindley1588]

Love that lope.

[@lightning334-]

nice shovel todd

[@HuntingHarleys]

thanks, still for sale

[@thomascharles44]

The sound of my youth

[@stevethompson6772]

I have an early 1978 FXE (early model year had point style ignition, late model year had electronic ignition). FXE had the 1200 engine, single gas tank (looked similar to Sportster tank but slightly larger), no windshield or fairing, no bags, the forks were not the large diameter forks as on the Electra Glide, and the headlight was the smaller diameter without the large nacelle like on the Electre Glide.

[@stevethompson6772]

Oh, and the "E" in FXE stands for electric start only, no kick start on this model.

[@lazybonemotorcycles1527]

Beautiful :)

[@-MrRichBiker1967]

nice bike, brother...sick new paint job, eh!

[@timboalmostdeadmijimbo]

super fuckin cool old shovel!

[@MarshallMathersthe7th]

Subscribed, you seem to know alot about Harley Davidsons and about motorcycles in general. Cool stuff bro, keep up the good work.

[@chopperchopster]

jesus my 71 looks just like that

[@SanghunJung93]

omg that Idle!!

[@60pablos]

my name is paolo, i'm your subscriber to your you tube channel. you have some beautiful harleys. compmenti ... I have 2 harley shovelhead flh 1980 and a heritage springer 1997

[@ttcshop-774]

Turn the idle up

[@SlickD217]

Damn nice ride 🤘🤘

[@navorgonzalez2744]

exactly what I want , just a 74 or 75

[@GK-mz3zt]

Like a lullaby

[@derekweese2230]

I love it !!

[@paolodecorato651]

spettacolare! Very great!

[@machinistmikethetinkerer4827]

Patato patato patato....cutting potato chips. That idle is just fine for a cold engine. When she warms up she should be just fine. When it's cold, I stay next to the throttle and juuuust keep it barely above kill with enricher off. Had mine for 30 sumthin years never a prob.

[@jaimecunningham1057]

kickass thumbnail brotha @huntingharleys

[@motorcycleislife8296]

These old bikes always sound like there gasping for air. Why not raise the idle? Just doesn’t sound right

[@ChrisD_GTR]

idk why the old harley guys keep the idle low. theres no oil pressure to be had at that low of an idle. the motor doesnt want to even keep running at that speed.

[@chopperchopster]

they idle at 1100 RPM dummy

[@deanmlshredder]

@@chopperchopster they're supposed to be around 1000 but that sounds lower than 1000 to me.

[@chopperchopster]

@@deanmlshredder1000 to 1100 RPM read a shop manual dude I like 1100 . To low and your gonna destroy the bottom end

[@deanmlshredder]

@@chopperchopster read the comment. I said around 1000. What's between 900 and 1100? Not even the poit of my comment. I was curious as to who you were calling a dummy since the thread you commented on was a question on why thee damn thing was idling so low since anyone with a harley and a set of ears know that's not 1100 or even 900 rpms.

[@MarshallMathersthe7th]

Lost Mc! Lost Mc! Is what i think when i see a nice chopper/bobber etc.

[@billystray7007]

Did the FXE come through with shorter fender struts than a full fender FL

[@HuntingHarleys]

FX / FXE one set. FXS another, FXS another, FL series another. Visually different

[@billystray7007]

@@HuntingHarleys thanks 👍 I'm looking to pull the pin on a full hinged fender for that hot rod look 😉 hoping to find a stock looking shorter pair

[@lightning334-]

Awesome

[@Ozzmancomethz]

i luv that scoot

[@joaocezar9029]

BRASIL RIO DE JANEIRO ADORO ASSISTIR SEUS VÍDEOS PARABÉNS MEU AMADO IRMÃO TMJ SEMPRE .

[@zari63]

Hi, where is the electricity cables on the handlebar ( low beam high beam horn inc) hidden ?

[@HuntingHarleys]

I assume down the bars. Been too many years to remember

[@TATA_NEXON_TURBOCHARGED_ENGINE]

Still you're using this machine???? Almost 42years old this beauty never sell

[@HuntingHarleys]

WTF kind of drugs are you on? Bike sold in 3 days back in 2012

[@TATA_NEXON_TURBOCHARGED_ENGINE]

@@HuntingHarleys idiot how i know that you have sold your fucking shit. Shut your ass oldie